TUC Urges UK Government to Deliver Employment Rights Bill in Full

Trade union leader Paul Nowak has criticized Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's government for failing to deliver the promised change on jobs, public services, and living standards, emphasizing that for many people, change remains just a slogan. Speaking at the TUC conference in Brighton, Nowak urged the government to fully enact the Employment Rights Bill, which aims to protect workers from unfair dismissal and exploitative zero-hours contracts, warning against watering down the legislation despite recent cabinet reshuffles and the departure of key advocates like Angela Rayner. Nowak expressed confidence that the bill would be passed in full, citing direct assurances from Prime Minister Starmer, but acknowledged ongoing concerns about certain provisions such as fire and rehire practices. He highlighted that the bill represents a significant step forward for millions of workers in insecure and low-paid jobs, while also benefiting responsible employers and the broader UK economy. Unions demand that the government resist business pressures to dilute the bill and insist on measures including windfall taxes and lifting benefit caps to improve living standards. The TUC conference also featured voices from the left-wing Green Party, reflecting broader union dissatisfaction and concern over the government's commitment to workers' rights.